MotoGP: Eugene Laverty takes spirit of Argentina to Austin

Felice Monteleone – FMPhotoSport MotoGP News

ASPAR Team MotoGP, GP of the Americas Previewce

Eugene Laverty takes spirit of Argentina to Austin

Irishman targeting a top ten finish at COTA, where Yonny Hernández has good memories and high hopes

Eugene Laverty | Courtesy of ASPAR TEAM Press Office

One of the best things about back-to-back Grand Prix weekends is the opportunity to either continue some good form or quickly put a bad weekend behind you. Both cases are true for the ASPAR Team as the MotoGP World Championship riders head directly from Argentina to Austin, with no time to rest ahead of the third round of the season. The main characteristic of the track is its long front straight, which climaxes with a breathtaking climb of 40 metres up to turn one, although the entire circuit is varied and fast. Only one rider has been capable of winning there so far, with Marc Márquez triumphant for each of the last three editions and now the outright championship leader after his most recent success at Termas de Río Hondo. Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa and Ducati pair Andrea Dovizioso and Andrea Iannone will certainly be amongst those hoping to end the Spaniard’s streak this Sunday.

The ASPAR Team riders travel to Austin in contrasting moods, with Eugene Laverty flying high after his stunning fourth place in Argentina, where he finished as the top Ducati and top independent team rider after a crazy race. In just two races this season the Irishman has already doubled his entire points tally from last season with the ASPAR team and now he is looking to add to his account with another top ten or twelve finish this weekend. His team-mate Yonny Hernández arrives in Texas hoping simply for a smooth weekend, after two fightbacks in the opening two races that last just a handful of laps.

Eugene Laverty: “I arrive in Austin with a lot of confidence after the fantastic result in Argentina. I really want to keep the moment going and finish this weekend with another top ten or twelve. I want to be consistent and to continue in the points. Last year at Austin I finished sixteenth but now I have a year of experience under my belt. It is a physical circuit with a long straight but I think we can do well there.”

Yonny Hernández: “I have had some good results in the past in Austin so I hope luck can be on our side once again this weekend. In Argentina I got a good start and was putting together a fightback similar to Qatar but I couldn’t complete it because of the crash. We are going to keep working hard and fighting all the way to achieve the result we deserve this Sunday in Austin”.